Nursing unit



July 22, 1952 W. D. TEAGUE ET AL 2,604,222

NURSING UNIT Filed July 30. 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l v Y gvlnliliummw HHIIHHlllllllllIlllIHIIll!l|IHLIIHHIIHIIIIIHIIIHIHI lllll July 22 1952, w. D.TEAGUE ETAL 2,604,222

l NURSING UNIT l Filed July 50. 1948 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTORS.

Patented July 22, 1952 NURSING UNIT Walter Dorwin Teague, Annandale, N.J., and Gordon M. Peltz, Kew Gardens, and Milton Immermann, Piel-mont,N. Y., assignors to Shellmar Products Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a

corporation of Delaware Y Applicationk July 3i), 1948, Serial No..41,554

` 4 claims. (ol. 215-11) This invention relates to improvements in anursing unit of the type which comprises a flanged nipple and adisposable container member and method and apparatus for securing thenipple and the container member in communieating relation.-

Itis an object of the invention to provide a nursing -unit which'ischaracterized by a nursing nipple,- a flexible disposable `containermember and means for detachably securing the container member incommunicatingrelation with the nipple.`

. It is a further object of the invention to provide a nursing unitcomprising a disposable bag or bottle member which is formed of flexiblematerial, a nipple formed of Aresilient material and having a dependingflange portion and an attaching ring for securing the top of the bottlemember in fluid tight relationship with the ange portion on the nipple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a nursing unit comprisinga vnursing nipple, a flexible disposable container and a ring member forattaching the mouth of the container to the nipple in such a manner thatthe fluid in the nursing unit comes in contact only with the interiorsurface of the container and the nursing nipple, the ring member beingpositioned exteriorly of the disposable container. Y

A further object of the invention is to provide a nursing unitcomprising a disposable, flexible receptacle in combination with aflanged resilient nipple and a relatively small attaching ring adaptedto fit within the flanged portion of the nipple and to retain in clampedrelation therein a reversely bent portion of the mouth of thereceptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a` nursing unit comprisinga flanged nipple, a flexible disposable container, an inner attachingring of relatively small cross section which is adapted to have themarginal portions of the flexible container folded outwardly over thesame and held in position thereon by the flange on the nipple and anouter clamping ring adapted to be positioned in clamping relation overtheflange on the nipple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a, method of assembling aflexible disposable container member in communicating relation with anursing nipple by expanding the mouth of the container, folding themarginal portions thereof about a relatively small attaching ring,placing a nipple having a reversible skirt thereon in contact with thefolded portions of the container and inverting the skirt on the nippleto postionthe same in encompassing relation about the attaching ringwhereby the folded marginal portions of the container are clampedbetween the ring and the skirt on the nipple. v

Another lobjectof the` invention is to provide a method and apparatusfor assembling a flexible disposable nursing 'bottle in communicatingrelationship withl a nursing nipple having a depending skirt thereonwhich comprises providing astand having an upwardly extending shoulderedflange thereon for supporting a relatively narrow attaching ring and albottle top expandlng and holding device adapted to be insertedlncontracted condition into the mouth of the disposable bottle andthereafter to be expanded into gripping relation with the internalmarginal portions of the bottle whereby the bottle may be manipulated bythe expanding and holding device to insert the body of the bottle withinthe securing ring and to fold the top marginal tion of the bottle toclamp the same in fluid tight relationship on the attaching ring.

It is still another object of the invention `to provide a bag topexpanding and holding device or tool comprising a split ring andpivotally related members for contracting the ring whereby it may beinserted within the top of a container and upon release will expand togrip the container adjacent the inner marginal portions thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stand for use inassembling and supporting nursing units of the character described whichcomprises a generally rectangular open frame having a flange memberprojecting upwardly from the top thereof and provided with a peripheralrecess in the outer edge in which the attaching ring is adapted to beseated while the marginal portions of the flexible container top arefolded thereover and the nursing nipple is secured thereto by thedepending skirt provided on the nursing nipple.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the nursing unit and the apparatusfor and method ofassembling the same which are shown by Way of illustration in theaccompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 'is an elevation of a nursing unitin assembled condition which embodies the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view-of the nursing unit;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the tool shown in A Fig. Fig. 7 is a planView illustrating the manner tainer;

i0 of inserting the tool in the mouth of the' con-` Fig. 8 is a partialside elevationofa-rack for use in assembling and thereaftersupportingthe nursing units.

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the supporting rack; i

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the supporting rack;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section illustrating the manner of insertingthe flexible container with- Fig. 14 is a View similar to Fig. 13 withthe nursing nipple and the container infvassembled relation and anvoutside retainer ring in position to' be applied tothe same; and Fig.15'i's a view partly in section showingv the container topclamped'.betweenthe inner ring;

and theange of the nipple by the outer ring and also showing a capmemberdetachably secured tothe outer ring..

'Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 ofthe drawings, there is illustrated, anursing unit which incorporates L' therein the. principles ofV theinvention. The unit, as illustrated, comprises; a flexible disposablecontainer or bottle member I0; anattach ing or connecting ring I I, anursing nipple I2 and a clamping ring` I3.

The container or bottle member I0 .consists .of a length of tubularmaterial which is flexible and which may be formed of any suitablesheet.- l'ike material but which is preferably formed of polyethylene,PliofilmA or similar transparent.

sheet forming material. The container I is closedv by a transversesealat'theV one end and open at the other end. It is formed with a diameterwhich will permit the top or mouth portions to be folded outwardly overand. down around the outside periphery of` the rigid attachingring II.The containers Illare adapted to befur'nishedto the user preferably inrolls which comprise a. predetermined'length of ilattened,sterilized-tube transversely sealed at spaced intervals to. provide aplurality of containers. or bags. which maybe cut one at a time from theend of the roll.

The attachingv ring IVI is preferably formed of metal or other rigidmaterial. of relatively small rectangular cross section providing anouter peripheral face I4,- which constitutes one of the clampingsurfaces for securing. the container top to the nipple I2. The nursingnipple I2, which is formed, of rubber-like material, is preferably ofthe Wide base type andis provided with an integral flange or skirtportion I5 which is reversible about a hinge line IE where it connectswith the base of the nipp1e. The skirt portion I 5, is provided with agroove I'I adjacent the upper extremity and on the internal surface whenthe skirt is in depending position. The groove Il is of a width or depth'which corresponds approximately to the depth of the attaching ring IIand is yrelatively shallow. The groove I'I is adapted to accommodateportions of the folded; containertop and resist separation of thecontainer from engagement y with the skirt.

An outer clamping ring or band I3 may be provided for further securingthe attaching ring II 'fand the container top in clamping relation withtheskirt'portionvw of the nipple I2. The ringl "I 3f comprisesarelatively rigid band of metal, plastic jorjsimil'ar rigid materialhaving a depth approximatingthat of the skirt I5. It is providedinternally 'with a surface I8 which is tapered. slightly downwardly andoutwardly to permit a wedging action between such surface andtheexterior surface of the skirt I5. The band i-3vis provided withprojections Ill onits external? surface for apurpose which'willbe described. t

When in' assembled relation the marginal portions (Fig. 3) at the mouthof the-container I0 are folded outwardly and downiifardlyv oftheV smallinnerattachingV ring l!-. The vmarginal portions 2da-re clamped againstthe'outerfsurface Irl; of they ring II by the reversible skirt I5Y ofthe nipple` IZ' vwhich has-been positioned in downwardly dependingrelation to the main portion of the nipple. Outer portions of the foldedmargin Zt'of the container are accommodatedjin the groove IT of theskirt I5L and the resiliency ofthe material holdsthe'mernbers in clampedrelation. The outer clamping ring I 3mayybe placed over the, skirt I 5to further clamp the members, if Vdesired'. u

Referring to Figs'. 5 to 7. ofy the. drawing;l therel is illustrated anexpanding. and holding' device or tool which is adapted for use in nialnipulatingthe flexible disposable container mem.- ber, l0. While it'isnot necessary to use the tool in assembling theunit the tool isparticularly designed 'to facilitate certain4 operations involved inassociating the container ring IIJ with. the attaching ring II.

AThe tool comprises a relatively thin bandzor. ring-like member 2I ofresilient metal or similar material. The band 2I is of substantialjwidthor depth and is provided with overlapping free ends 22 and 23 which aremovable relative to each. other to vary the diameter of vthe bandmember.

A plate 24, whichv may be formed integrallyy with.

the band memberZ I, extends upwardly adjacent one of its free ends 22and is attached to'thefinner end of inclined handle grip member'25. Alsoattached to the inner end of member 25 is an angularly bent plate orbracket member 26 which is arrangedl with an inner end or lower portion21..

extending radially of the ring 2I within the plane of the top and bottomedges thereof. mangu-v larly` bent plate or bracket 28 is also providedhavinga portion 29-which extends radially of the ring memberl and whichis pivotally connectedat 3S with the bracket. portion 2l, the pivotalconnection 3D beingapproximately in the'center ofthe band member 2l. `Atits outer endthe bracket 28` isgsecured tov an upstanding plate-3|whichrnay be formed integrally with the band member 2I adjacent the end23 of thesame. The

bracket member 28. is provided with an outwardly-f projecting portion 32which'serves as aV thumb o r finger piece. for engagement by the user...

As illustrated in Fig. 7 the handle member 25 and the finger piece 32are gripped by the hand and thumbof theV user and moved toward eachother to contract the band 2| for'insertion in the top of the containerI0. The band 2| is moved into the mouth of the container and thenallowed to spring outwardly into clamping engagement with the innersurfaces of the marginal portions of the container thereby expanding themouth of the container to its maximun'iA diameter. The containermay-then be manipulated to associate the same with the attaching ring II in a manner which will bevexplained.

Referring to Figs. 8 to 10, there is illustrated a supporting rack orYstand which is adapted for use in `assembling and iilling the nursingunit and also for supporting one or more of the iilled units in arefrigerator or other storage compartment.

The supporting rack comprises a pair of lat-A erally spaced generallyrectangular upright open frame members 33 which are connected at thebase by cross pieces 34 and at the top by cross pieces 35. One end onlyof the rack is illustrated, it being understood that the length of thesame will depend upon the number of units it is desired to assem-bleand/or support.

The rack is provided on the top with upstanding flanges 36 which may beformed integral with the top frame members. The flanges 36 projectinwardly and are curved to form a tubelike supporting section. The anges36 are provided at the top edge thereof with a shoulder forming recess3l which is of a size to receive the small attaching ring member I I ofthe nursing unit. The flanges 3B may be formed to provide a completetube section or their ends may be spaced, as illustrated, to provideopen sides. The flanges 3B will be arranged in spaced relationlengthwise of the rack when it is desired to provide for a plurality ofthe units on a single rack.

While,` the nursing unit may be assembled by lhand Without the use ofthe expanding tool or the supporting rack both these devices areparticularly designed to facilitate the assembling and lling operations.

In assembling the nursing unit the inner ring II is positioned in therecess 31 provided on the top edges of the flanges 36 of the rack andthe marginal portions of the container top are associated with the ring.

The container I0 is openedy at the mouth and the band 2I of theexpanding tool is inserted, the handle 25 and the thumb plate 32 beinggripped as indicated in Fig. 7 to contract the band 2I to a suiilcientlysmall diameter to permit entry into the mouth of the container. The band2l is allowed to expand by releasing thumb plate 32 until it grips theinternal surfaces of the container adjacent the marginal portionsthereof. With the container thus held on the tool the body of thecontainer is passed through the ring II (Fig. 1l) and moved to aposition where the lower edge of the band 2| is approximately at the topedge of the ring II. The container IIJ is then grasped and held insubstantially that position while the band 2I is moved downwardlyoutside of the ring II to position the marginal portions of thecontainer in folded relation outside of the ring II and the tube sectionformed by flanges 35. The marginal portions 20 of the container and theband member 2| move relative to each other to position the band 2Ioutside of the container top as shown in Fig. 12. The horizontalportions 38 (Fig. l2) at the base of the flanges 36 act as a limit stopfor the movement of the band 2 I; The container is then released fromthe tool by expanding the band `2| sufficiently to permit removalof thetool. At this point the milk or other fluid is placed in the container,after which the `nipple I2 with the skirt I5 in the upwardly extendingposition is placed over the mouth of the containerl as indicatedin Fig.13 and the skirt is reversed or snapped downwardly over the foldedmarginal portions 20 of the container to clamp the container to the ringII as shown in Fig. 14, and the unit is ready for use.

As indicated in Figs. 14 and 15 the outer clamping ring o r band I3 maybe applied over the skirt I5 of the nipple I2 to further clamp the skirtI5 against the marginal portions 20 of the container and insure aleak-proof connection between the members.

In Fig. 15 a protecting cap or cover member 39 is shown which is adaptedto be placed over the nipple I2 to protect it from contamination whilebeing stored or handled. The cap 39 is provided with a depending flange4I) having internally projecting peripherally spaced lugs or threadforming members 4I which cooperate with the externally projecting lugsI9 on the outer clamping ring I3 to frictionally connect the members I3and I9.

We claim:

1. A nursing unit comprising a flexible disposable receptacle, aring-like connectingmember of rectangular cross section. said connectingmember being relatively thin and having a smooth peripheral surface ofsubstantial depth, said connecting member being adapted to be positionedexteriorly of the receptacle with marginal portions of the receptaclefolded outwardly Vand downwardly over said peripheral surface thereof, anipple having an integral reversible skirt thereon adapted to bepositioned with the skirt turned down over the folded marginal portionsof the receptacle for clamping the receptacle between the same and theperipheral surface of said connecting member to place the receptacle andthe nipple in communicating relation and a relatively rigid outerclamping band adapted to be positioned in snug fitting relation over theskirt on said nipple to retain said skirt in clamping relation on saidconnecting member whereby the connection between the receptacle and thenipple is sealed against leakage of nursing fluid.

2. A nursing unit as claimed in claim 1 and said outer clamping bandbeing relatively wide and having a tapered inner surface.

3. A nursing unit comprising a iiexible disposable receptacle, aring-like connecting member of rectangular cross section, saidconnecting member being relatively thin and having a straight exteriorperipheral surface portion of substantial depth, said connecting memberbeing adapted to be positioned exteriorly of the receptacle with themarginal portions of the receptacle folded outwardly and downwardly oversaid exterior surface portion thereof and a nipple having an outwardlyextending base portion terminating in a thickened portion forming anintegral reversible vertically positioned skirt, said skirt being ofsubstantially greater depth than said exterior surface portion of saidconnecting member, and said skirt being adapted to be positionedinitially in upturned relation and iinally in downwardly extendingrelation over the folded marginal portions of the receptacle forclamping the receptacle in relatively flat folded relation between theinner surface of the skirt and :thea exterior surface; portonrof' `said; vconnectingmember throughout thed'epthof said4 surface portion toplacethe; receptacle and thenipple i-n-y communicating, rela-tionV withthe connectonibetweenthe same sealedaganstt leakage offthe nursingfluid. Y y

4. A-nursing; unit asrected'inclaim 3 encl'sadv shirtonrsa-i'd nipplehaving a relatively shallowv groove onits inner surface when turneddow-nover the.v marginal'- portions of, the receptacle', whiehgrooveis'approxima-tely the same depth as the exteriorv surface portion of theconnecting member, for cooperation with said connecting member tovresist rela-tiveY axial' movement of said skirt and-said connectingmember.

WALTER DORWIN'TEAGUE. GORDON M.PELTZ. MILTON IMMERMANN.

8i REFERENCE-s crrlm,`

The following references are' of record in the le of this patent:

y UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

